Salahuddin (third from left) presenting the Bakul Rahmah to a recipient at a petrol station along the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway in Seberang Jaya.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has assured consumers that there is sufficient supply of packet cooking oil for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Its minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said they were sensitive to the needs of the people, especially during the festive season.
“I admit there are still complaints over the shortage of packet cooking oil in some places at certain times.
“However, I can guarantee that there is no crisis involving the supply and there is some 60,000 metric tonnes of oil to be supplied each month.
“If we receive any shortage complaints, our officers will act fast and find supplies elsewhere,” he said when asked to comment on complaints that it was still difficult to get subsidised cooking oil packets.
Salahuddin said the shortage of packet cooking oil was temporary, due to several factors including traders not being under the government’s Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation Scheme (COSS) and credit issues between retailers and wholesalers.
He also assured that other items like chicken, eggs and vegetables were sufficient.
“We will also regularly hold sessions with several ministries to overcome issues related to supply, including the issue of middlemen, to enable consumers to get goods at reasonable prices as stipulated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he added.
Salahuddin had earlier handed over Bakul Rahmah to those in need, at a petrol station along the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway, Seberang Jaya in Penang.
Also present were PETRONAS Dagangan managing director and chief executive officer Azrul Osman Rani as well as Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry Penang director S. Jegan.
Azrul said PETRONAS Dagangan Bhd in collaboration with PETRONAS Foundation and the Welfare Department presented Bakul Rahmah, an initiative by the ministry to uplift the lives of communities in need.
The initiative will be extended to festive occasions such as Kaamatan, Gawai, Deepavali and Christmas and will benefit over 9,000 families nationwide, he added.
The beneficiaries will receive PETRONAS gift cards that can be used to purchase fuel and items from Kedai Mesra at PETRONAS stations, besides food necessities and festive goodies.
